BERLIN—Fairphone is the only company to ever release a truly modular phone for consumers. Last year, we went hands on with the Fairphone 2, and were impressed by the ability to disassemble and swap out everything from the display to the camera. That said, the specs were dated, with the aging Snapdragon 801 chipset and old software, so it was hard to recommend over a newer phone.
It's a fact the company acknowledges in its latest announcement, a new camera module comprising a 12-megapixel rear sensor and 5-megapixel front-facing sensor. It makes the Fairphone 2 the first smartphone to offer a core function upgrade rather than simple customization. All 75,000 Fairphone 2 owners will be able to replace and insert the new sensors with a screwdriver, which should result in a significant image quality boost.
Fairphone has also promised that the phone's software will continue to be supported. The device received the Android 6.0 Marshmallow upgrade only recently, but the company says it will encourage open source development in the community, allowing savvy users to install ROMs.
Starting in September, the new camera modules will be available through retail partners in Europe and in Fairphone's online store for €45 for the rear camera, €30 for the front camera, or €70 for both modules. Consumers who order the Fairphone 2 going forward will get the upgraded camera modules pre-installed.
Unfortunately for US consumers, the Fairphone 2 is still only being sold in Europe. If you want to enjoy modular upgrades, the closest you'll find here is Motorola's Moto Mods, which are a series of magnetic add-ons that snap onto compatible phones like the Moto Z2 Force Edition or Moto Z2 Play to add functionality. That's only semi-modular, but Moto Mods is a robust ecosystem, with mods like a 360-degree camera, extra battery, and kickstand speaker. You can even turn your phone into a point-and-shoot camera using the Hasselblad True Zoom Camera mod.
We've tested all of them and while some have varying degrees of usefulness, most add helpful functionality in a seamless way. Plus, unlike the Fairphone 2, you get the very latest hardware and software.